Easy Recipes

Comfort food has a nasty reputation for being unhealthy. It doesn’t have to be that way, we say! Here’s a perfectly hearty winter soup recipe that’s low calorie, low sodium, and meatless. How’s that for a triple threat? We love to serve this with a crusty Caprese panini on the side when the weather gets Arctic. Even if you don’t like beets, we think this soup might change your mind, as their flavor is a sweet subtlety in the dish.

By now, you’ve probably had a dozen and a half French beef stew recipes. However, they can be loaded with butter and fat, which does serious damage to our waistlines. We really don’t know how the French can stay so slim. Well, maybe we do. It could have something to do with recipes like this one.

Try out our healthier version of the classic French recipe and let us know what you think! This simple crockpot recipe is perfect for people watching their weight, or those who want their meals to have a bit more nutritional pop.

Doesn’t this fig tart look absolutely beautiful? Well, spoiler alert, this elegant dessert recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare! We love to make this fruit tart as part of our dessert table and allow people to help themselves to a slice. Wonderful accompaniments to this recipe include creme fraiche or whipped topping, some fresh mint, and warm honey to drizzle over the top. This is a fantastic party dessert recipe, and everyone will beg you for the recipe.

In the spirit of preparing some delicious eats for the football game on Sunday, we thought we’d share one of our new favorite wing recipes with you. Don’t get us wrong, we love the usual bottle of bag of frozen wings + fryer + bottle of barbecue sauce = heaven routine, but sometimes we crave something a little better tasting and better for us. These Asian-influenced chicken wings are fantastic because they lighten things up by baking without sacrificing any flavor or crispiness.

In the spirit of clearing out the pantry and not leaving the house during the snowstorm, we bring you another few-ingredient recipe that you’re sure to love. This time, it’s banana crepes with homemade chocolate hazelnut spread. We love the simplicity of this recipe, and by creating every component you know exactly what goes into your food. Serve this with a glass of skim milk and some hash browns, and you can have a filling breakfast or snack while the weather outside stays blustery.

In Spain, it is considered good luck to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight as we ring in a new year. Some say, for every sweet grape you eat there will be a good month in the coming year, and for each sour one a bad month. You can even make a wish with each one you eat!

This simple appetizer recipe is a beautiful way to present a round of brie for a New Year’s Eve celebration. Serve with crackers or apple slices, and, of course, a glass of bubbly! This year, may all of your grapes be sweet as we welcome 2013. Cheers!

Time for the October installment of the Secret Recipe Club! This month, I was honored to be assigned the blog of one of our hosts, Amanda Formaro from “Amanda’s Cookin’!”

She has so many outstanding recipes on her blog, but I was on a mission. I wanted to find a great holiday appetizer. Something easy and delicious to offer guests over the next few months.

That’s when I came upon this fantastic dish: Gouda and Sun-Dried Tomato Cheese Ball. It is packed with flavor, and can be whipped up in minutes. When entertaining guests this busy holiday season, Amanda’s appetizer is the perfect way to start the evening.

Serve with crackers, fresh fruit and a glass of wine. I popped open a bottle of Pinot Noir and it paired perfectly. Get ready to mix and mingle over the holidays with a little wine and cheese!

Speaking of cheese, don’t forget the recipe contest theme this week is CHEESE! Click here to read all about the contest and enter your best cheesy recipes by Saturday night. There is a $250 weekly prize and, of course, the $5000 grand prize and the end of the contest. Good luck everyone!

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot. Set crock pot to high for 3-4 hours. When pork is done, shred the pork using two forks. Return to crock pot and combine. Serve on a bun as a sandwich, if desired.